Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States is “not yet ready” to see Ukraine join NATO, adding that Kyiv is working with Washington on binding bilateral security guarantees that would function similarly to Article 5.

During an online briefing with journalists on Tuesday, Dec. 9, Zelensky said the US position on NATO membership is openly acknowledged in ongoing talks.

“We know that the United States, unfortunately, is not yet ready to see Ukraine in NATO. This is not some kind of game but completely open information. But this is certainly a question for the future,” Zelensky said.

According to him, the “coalition of the willing” in Europe is working on its framework, but Ukraine considers bilateral arrangements with Washington essential.

“For us, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States are very important. They are formulated in a 20-point plan. It is like Article 5, the same principle as in NATO,” he said, adding that Ukrainian officials expect to clarify key details in the coming days and weeks.

Article 5 of NATO commits all member states to treat an armed attack on one ally as an attack on the entire Alliance and to respond collectively, including with military force.

The president said Ukraine cannot agree to any scenario for ending the war without clear, enforceable security guarantees.

He said issues related to Donbas and Russian-occupied territories are consistently raised by Moscow, and Ukraine consistently provides its response.